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Garden furniture lives up to its name, providing seating, functionality, and relaxation outdoors. Each piece or set is designed to hold up against the elements and weather. However, not all materials used are strong enough to stay outside all year. This factor is especially worth considering if you plan to invest in one soon.
This guide lists those that can withstand year-round exposure to quickly narrow down your options. We’ll explain three materials, each with various types that are up to the task, to give you alternatives. Ready?
Wood
Timber is a classic choice for patio furniture, with its strength and durability taking the credit. No range in the market doesn’t include this material; at least one piece of wood furniture stands out. Timeless, built to last, and value for the money—it ticks off all the best benefits! The natural material complements most garden setups, from traditional to modern and lush to minimalist designs, to add.
The wood used in furniture making, for indoor and outdoor use, falls into two categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods are denser than softwoods, but these terms don’t technically determine their strengths.
Hardwood
Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, which lose their leaves annually. This type of wood is known for its durability, strength, and density. With such qualities, hardwoods are often used in furniture, flooring, and even construction. They’re also valued for their unique grain patterns and rich colours.
The best hardwoods for garden furniture are:
- Oak: Oak is known for its impressive sturdiness, strength, and attractive grain patterns. It also has a natural resistance to moisture and rot, so it’s okay to be left outside. Be warned that while oak furniture can handle the outdoors, it might not look new forever.
- Mahogany: Mahogany is reputed for its durability, longevity, water, warping, and insect resistance. With proper care, mahogany furniture can last up to 40 years outside. However, it doesn’t do well when left in direct sunlight, as it may fade and turn to a soft silvery grey.
- Teak: Teak is a premium hardwood with an impressive lifespan due to its exceptional strength and durability. It also contains resin that gives it natural resistance against water and rot, making it the gold standard of decay resistance. And yes, teak furniture is designed to defy year-round weather conditions, including winter. It may require more cleaning and maintenance to be enjoyed during spring, summer, and autumn.
Softwood
Softwood, such as cedar and redwood, comes from coniferous trees, which reproduce by producing cones. It’s less dense and more flexible than hardwoods. This makes it easier to work with furniture, including paper products.
- Cedar: Cedar naturally resists rot, decay, and pests while withstanding weather changes. Although it may be classified as softwood, it doesn’t break as easily as other types, making it an excellent choice for outdoor uses. Cedar furniture still needs regular attention to maintain its appearance.
- Redwood: Redwood qualifies to outlast metal outdoor furniture in every way. For one, this softwood fends off moisture, rot, and insects, a common dilemma with metal counterparts. You can expect redwood furniture to stand the test of time for at least 10 to 30 years.
Rattan
Rattan garden furniture has been gracing British outdoor spaces since the Victorian era. This shows how reliable the material is for making furniture designed for open-air settings. Fast-forward to today, and the synthetic rattan variant is one of the most popular choices. But which one performs better being in the open throughout the year?
Natural rattan
Genuine rattan is a material renowned for its weatherproof qualities and weather resistance. Its weaving technique in furniture is a bonus feature, on top of being sustainable. While natural rattan sets can stay outside, direct exposure to sunlight can cause the material to dry and brittle over time. It’s a good idea to keep them in a shaded area or use covers during peak sun hours—they’re still outside, just in the shade!
Synthetic rattan
The ‘synthetic’ rattan used in garden furniture mimics the look and feel of natural rattan. Polyethylene is a popular choice, woven into intricate patterns for furniture. PE rattan is resistant to weather and UV rays, requires low maintenance, and is highly durable. Unlike natural rattan, it doesn’t fade or crack over time. The best part? This low-maintenance material can be left outside all year round without suffering from weather damage.
If you have a rattan dining set, you can keep it in the open all season. Just keep an eye on the garden chair cushions. They can fade, stain, and encourage mildew growth, not to mention accumulate dirt over time.
Maintenance tip: While you can leave your rattan furniture outside all year, doing your part will help it maintain its good shape. Wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove dirt, and occasionally, use mild soap and water for a deeper clean.
Read this next, ‘Can Rattan Furniture Be Left Outside?’ to learn more.
Metal
Metal garden furniture has come a long way, with better options that even rust and corrosion won’t dare to land on. Stainless steel and aluminium are the top contenders for long-term outdoor use. Both are fantastic, but one definitely takes the lead. It’s up to you to decide which is which.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is strong and durable. Its contemporary look complements various garden settings and can be left outside year-round. This saves you the hassle of bringing your steel furniture inside whenever there’s heavy rain, snow, or strong wind. It can also deal with salt water and mould much better than regular steel. All thanks to its added chromium, which grants that extra layer of protection to resist rust even better.
But that’s not all—stainless steel furniture can be exposed to sunlight for long periods. You won’t have to worry about it fading, bleaching or cracking.
Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the lightest metals used in furniture. It’s lightweight enough to move around your garden but sturdy enough to stand up to the wind. Aluminium furniture is also designed to be weatherproof and UV-resistant. Those outdoor sets with added powder coating offer better protection against corrosion, wear and tear. They remain rot and rust-free, even when left outside during damper weather all year round.
With a little regular care, aluminium pieces can last a decade or more.
Read this guide, ‘Can Aluminium Furniture Survive Winter?’ for extra information.
Round-up
Wood, rattan, and metal garden furniture can withstand the elements, making them suitable for all seasons. BUT only if the right types of these materials are used.
For wood, you can opt for either hardwood or softwood. Rattan comes in natural or synthetic options, while metal designs typically use stainless steel or aluminium. All of these are ready to brave the outdoors, come rain or shine, season after season.
So, which one on the list do you think is in for the long haul for your outdoor space?
Up next on your reading list: How Long Should My Garden Furniture Last?
What do you think ?